Goiter in Brazilian modernism paintings / Bócio em pinturas da arte moderna brasileira

Objective: To evaluate Di Cavalcanti's artworks in which goiters are represented before and after the introduction of iodized salt to the Brazilian population. Methods: One hundred and thirty paintings by Di Cavalcanti from the 20's to 70's demonstrating necks were evaluated. All the paintings were observed in reproductions. The neck circumference in the paintings was measured. Since there were no standard thresholds of neck circumference, cutoffs were based on the median. Baseline characteristics of artworks were compared based on high and normal neck circumference categories using Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test, or chi square test. Results: We analyzed 29 artworks which portray the neck of 60 women (84.5%), 8 men (11.3%) and 3 children (4.2%). The analyses of the neck circumference showed 23.3% of women (14/60), 12.5% of men (1/8), and 33.3% of children (1/3) with an abnormal profile of the neck circumference. The neck circumference ratio in 29 paintings showed that the relative sizes of the necks painted between the 1920's and 1950's (r=0.45; p=0.03), and painted between the 1960's and 70's (r= 0.54; p=0.003) have linearly decreased. The decades in which the artworks were painted explained 40.0% of the variation in size of the neck circumference (p=0.002). Conclusion: Art imitates life. Di Cavalcanti was not a physician, and probably did not have the intention to illustrate a pathological condition, although the images observed in this study should be considered as goiter or enlarged neck.

Objetivo: Avaliar as obras de Di Cavalcanti em que bócios estão representados, antes e após a introdução da iodação do sal para a população brasileira. Método: Foram avaliadas 130 pinturas de Di Cavalcanti entre os anos 1920 e 1970 demonstrando pescoços. Todas as pinturas foram observadas em reproduções. A circunferência do pescoço nas pinturas foi mensurada. Como não existia limite-padrão da circunferência do pescoço, os limites foram baseados na mediana. As características básicas das obras de arte foram comparadas por categorias da circunferência do pescoço em elevadas e normais, usando o teste t de Student, o teste de Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon ou o teste qui-quadrado. Resultados: Analisamos 29 obras de arte que representavam o pescoço de 60 mulheres (84,5%), 8 homens (11,3%) e 3 crianças (4,2%). Ao analisar a circunferência do pescoço, 23,3% das mulheres (14/60), 12,5% dos homens (1/8) e 33,3% das crianças (1/3) demonstraram perfil anormal dela. A relação da circunferência do pescoço em 29 pinturas demonstrou que as circunferências do pescoço relativas aos pescoços pintados entre os anos 1920 e 1950 (r=0,45; p=0,03) e pintados entre os anos 1960 e 1970 (r=0,54; p=0,003) reduziram linearmente. As décadas em que as obra foram pintadas explicaram 40,0% da variação no tamanho da circunferência do pescoço (p=0,002). Conclusão: A arte imita a vida. Di Cavalcanti não era médico e, provavelmente, não tinha intenção de ilustrar uma condição patológica, embora as observações das imagens, neste estudo, tenham sido consideradas como bócio ou com aumento de volume do pescoço

The effect of 17 years of increased salt iodization on the prevalence and nature of goiter in Croatian schoolchildren.

Background High goiter prevalence caused by iodine deficiency (medium content 5.6 mg potassium iodide [KI]/kg of salt, median urine iodine concentration [UIC] 68 µg/L) in Croatia was observed in 1991 and 1995 when salt was iodized with 10 mg KI/kg. A new regulation introduced in 1996, specified 25 mg KI/kg of salt resulting in an increase of median UIC to 248 µg/L. Afterwards, goiter prevalence was only assessed in two small studies. Methods In this study, we investigated the prevalence and etiology of goiter in 3594 schoolchildren 17 years after an increase in salt iodization in Croatia. Thyroid size was determined by palpation in 1777 girls and 1817 boys aged 10-18 years. In goitrous children, a thyroid ultrasound and thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin (TG) antibody measurements were performed. Results Goiter was found in 32 children (0.89% vs. 2.8% in 1991, p<0.00001 and 27% in 1995, p<0.00001), simple goiter (SG) in 18/32 (56%) goitrous children vs. 126/152 (82.8%) in 1991 p<0.00001, autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) in 13/32 (40.6%) vs. 19/152 (12.5%) in 1991 p<0.0009, nodules in four: two cysts, toxic adenoma and carcinoma (in 1991 two adenomas and one cyst), Graves' disease was not found (four in 1991). Subclinical hypothyroidism was found in three children. Thyroid disease was diagnosed in four of 32 children before the investigation. Increased iodine supply decreased goiter prevalence and SG/AT ratio in goitrous patients. Conclusions As thyroid abnormalities were found in 0.89% of children and some required treatment, thyroid examination is important in apparently healthy children regardless of sufficient iodization.

[The iodine prophylaxis: the experience in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano (South Tyrol).] / La iodoprofilassi: l'esperienza della Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano (Alto Adige).

Since ancient times in South Tyrol there was evidence of endemic goitre caused by iodine deficiency. In the early 80's an epidemiological research on adults and primary and secondary school children reported in the least a prevalence of goitre from grade 1 B-3 (WHO) of 23,66% (limits WHO >5%) and an urinary iodine of 10,2 µgI/L. Therefore South Tyrol population presented heavy endemic goitre. In 1982 started a generalized iodine prophylaxis with alimentary iodined salt after an intense prevention campaign. In 1990 it has been done another epidemiological research on primary and secondary school children of the province (neck palpation, thyroid ultrasound, blood and urine tests) which revealed a prevalence of goitre from grade 1 B (WHO) of 1,6% (limits WHO >5%) and an urinary iodine of 137,1 µgI/L. Therefore in South Tyrol there was no more evidence of endemic goitre. In 2001 another research over primary and secondary school children, of the same areas and with the same approaches of the previous researches reported a prevalence of goitre of 1,5% and a median of urinary iodine of 230 µgI/L. On the basis of the data of Istituto Superiore di Sanità (National Institute of Health) can be stated that in the Province of Bolzano there's a low presence of congenital hypothyroidism. It has been observed an increase in the thyroiditis and in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer was marked an accentuation of papillar forms, less aggressive than the follicula. Unfortunately since 2001 no new epidemiological researches were done, due to lack of financial resources and the raising of other sanitary problems of higher priority.

La deficiencia de yodo en Cuba / Iodine deficiency in Cuba

Objetivo: caracterizar la magnitud y la severidad de la deficiencia de yodo en Cuba. Métodos: se caracterizó la magnitud y la severidad de la deficiencia de yodo en Cuba mediante la determinación de la yoduria y la prevalencia de bocio por inspección y palpación. Se realizó un estudio epidemiológico de corte transversal utilizando un muestreo complejo por conglomerados bietápico en tres estratos de selección: urbano, rural y montaña, el cual incluyó 67 municipios del país con un total de 2 101 escolares de 6 a 11 años. Resultados: se encontraron yodurias deficientes en el 6,4 por ciento de los niños evaluados a predominio del estrato de montaña. Se evidenció una ingesta excesiva de yodo en todos los estratos. La prevalencia de bocio fue de 27, 3 por ciento, considerada como endemia moderada con una mayor cifra en la montaña y sexo femenino. Los hallazgos indicaron el impacto de la yodación de la sal evaluado a través de la excreción urinaria como indicador de ingesta reciente. Conclusiones: el bocio endémico continúa siendo un problema nutricional poblacional, lo que sugiere realizar estudios de mayor profundidad para identificar las posibles relaciones causales

Objective: characterize the magnitude and severity of iodine deficiency in Cuba. Methods: characterization of the magnitude and severity of iodine deficiency in Cuba was based on determination of iodinuria and the prevalence of goitre by inspection and palpation. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted using complex two-staged cluster sampling of three selected strata: urban, rural and mountainous, including 67 municipalities and a total of 2 101 school children aged 6-11. Results: deficient iodinuria was found in 6.4 percent of the children evaluated, with a predominance of the mountainous stratum. Excessive iodine intake was present in all strata. Goitre was classed as moderately endemic, with a prevalence of 27.3 percent and a predominance in the mountainous stratum and the female sex. Findings revealed the impact of salt iodization, which was evaluated through examination of urinary excretion as an indicator of recent salt intake. Conclusions: endemic goitre continues to be a nutritional problem in the population, pointing to the need to conduct more profound studies to identify possible causal relationships

Undifferentiated (anaplastic) thyroid carcinoma and iodine intake in Salta, Argentina.

This study was conducted to investigate the natural history of undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma (UTC) in the iodine-deficient province of Salta, Argentina, in relation to salt iodization and health care standards. Five hundred ninety-three thyroid cancers diagnosed from 1958 to2012 were reviewed based mainly on the WHO classification and grouped into three periods, one before and two after iodine prophylaxis. The incidence of UTC was analyzed in relation to changing concentrations of potassium iodide (KI) in salt during the prophylaxis period (from 40 to 33.3 mg KI/kg salt), establishment of primary health care centers throughout the region, and use of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. Twenty-nine UTCs were found in the whole series. The frequency of UTC decreased from 15.2 % (9/59 cases) in the first period to 2.6 % (10/381 cases) well after salt iodination (x (2) Fisher's test, p < 0.0002), and the incidence from 1.4/10(6)/year to 0.1/10(6)/year (Student's t test, p < 0.06), respectively. The decline of UTC after iodine prophylaxis occurred even after decreasing concentrations of KI in salt and timely coincided with the establishment of primary health care centers throughout the region and routine use of FNA. The lower rate of UTC after iodine prophylaxis in the province of Salta is mostly related to earlier detection of more differentiated thyroid tumors rather than higher salt iodization.

The prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis after universal salt iodisation in Sri Lanka.

INTRODUCTION: Sri Lanka is endemic for goiters. Iodine deficiency is thought to be the main cause. The global iodisation programme was implemented in the country in 1995. Several studies done in school children have shown a reduction in the goiter prevalence (3.8%) in the initial post iodisation period. An island wide, community based study was carried out to study the prevalence of goiters. METHODS: A multistage cluster sampling method was used. Examination of goiters was done by two trained investigators and graded according to the WHO grading. Fine needle aspiration cytology of the goitres was also undertaken in the field. A sample of urine was collected from all participants. In a random sample of 153 individuals with a goiter, serum was checked for anti thyroid peroxidase antibodies. RESULTS: Out of 5200 individuals screened, 426 had a clinically detectable goiter. Adjusted prevalence rate was 6.8%. Both serological and cytological evidence of autoimmune thyroiditis was seen in 19.6% of goiters. Mean urinary iodine concentration was 235 µg/l range 11.1 - 425 µg/l). Association between elevated antithyroperoxidase antibodies and median urinary iodine concentration was significant. CONCLUSION: Goiter prevalence in Sri Lanka has increased after an initial drop following the iodisation. A significant proportion of goiters is due to AIT. Urinary excretion of Iodine in the community is high and has a positive correlation with the prevalence of aTPO anti vodies. Increase in AIT due to a high Iodine intake may account for the rise in goiter prevalence.

Work of the Polish Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders, and the model of iodine prophylaxis in Poland.

The Polish Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (PCCIDD) was established in 1991 in Krakow at the Chair and Dept. of Endocrinology, Jagiellonian University, Collegium Medicum, following the example of the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD) in Charlottesville, USA. The PCCIDD co-operates with the European Co-ordinating Centre in Pisa, Italy. The PCCIDD comprises a group of experts in endocrinology, iodine prophylaxis, the technology of salt and food iodisation, and Polish representatives of several organisations: WHO, UNICEF, the Polish Consumers Federation, and the Spokesman for Children's Rights. The strategic goal of the Polish Council is to solve the problem of iodine deficiency in Poland realising the Programme for Elimination of Iodine Deficiency financed by the Ministry of Health. The Polish model of iodine prophylaxis contains obligatory iodisation of household salt (20-40 mg KI/1 kg) and neonates' formula (10 µg/100 mL of milk), and additional supplementation for pregnant and breastfeeding women with 150-200 µg of iodine as pharmacotherapy. The model is very effective: endemic goitre in schoolchildren has been eradicated, the prevalence of goitre in pregnant women has fallen from 80% to 19%, the frequency of transient hypothyroidism in neonates has dropped from 2.0% to 0.16%, and the observed increase of incidence rate of thyroid cancer in women over 40 years old has diminished markedly. In 2008, a WHO Collaborating Centre (WHOCC) for Nutrition was designated at the Department of Endocrinology, UJCM in Krakow. The main goal of the WHOCC is to sustain effective iodine prophylaxis in Poland in the light of the latest WHO recommendations on the necessary reduction of daily salt intake as a risk factor for hypertension and arteriosclerosis. Therefore, additional standardised carriers of iodine (milk, mineral water) have been introduced into the food market.

Total goitre rate in rural primary school children aged 8-12 years and impact of their health education, on consumption of iodised salt among their families.

In the present study, the total goitre rate was assessed in children aged 8-12 years, attending a rural primary school along with a longitudinal, educational intervention study undertaken among them, regarding proper comsumption of iodised salt and percolating this to their families through them. It was carried over a period of four months and 110 children, studying in a rural primary school, were the study population. The total goitre rate among the surveyed school children was found to be 6%, indicating mild Iodine deficiency disorder prevalence, according to accepted recommendations. Before health education was given, 100% salt as collected on first fortnight was iodised, but optimum iodisation was present only in 80.4% of the samples tested. In view of all these, it emerges that the area is in a transitional phase of iodine deficiency to iodine sufficiency. Over the period of study, during which educational input was provided, there was increase in the voluntary participation of the students regarding bringing of salt for iodine estimation (p < 0.05). On analysis the children were very good at percolating the health education to the parents and significant change was observed in their practice as well.

Tendencia de la nutrición de yodo durante las últimas décadas en escolares chilenos y sus consecuencias / Trend of iodine nutrition in recent decades and its consequences in Chilean schoolchildren

The endemic goiter, nutritional collective problem due to iodine deficience, constitutes a chronic disease with easy prevention and control, nevertheless still it constitutes a serious problem of public world health, being thought that about 650 million persons have goiter, 43 millions suffer from endemic cretinism and 1570 millions are in risk of suffering this disease for living in areas that present a deficit of iodine. Both patterns, deficit and the excess of iodine can conducted to a thyroid disease. The relation between the ingestion of iodine and the risk of disease corresponds to a U curve, where both, the low one and high ingestion of iodine it is associate to high risk of thyroid disease. To have a program of iodine supplementation, it should imply a constant vigilance of iodine nutrition to see its effect on the goiter prevalence in the population, to control his degree of fulfillment, to avoid a possible excess of ingestion of iodine it might help to correct any precocious alteration. Endemic goiter is not longer a problem in Chile. Salt iodination is in agreement with present legislation, but it is very important to have a continuous surveillance of iodine nutrition in Chile to control if salt fortification is appropiate.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 and zinc status of goitrous primary-school children in Arak, Islamic Republic of Iran.

Despite a successful national salt iodinization programme, endemic goitre still persists in Iranian children. In a cross-sectional study in Arak the prevalence of goitre was 5.2% in a sample of 6520 primary-school children. Subsamples of 193 children with goitre and 151 healthy children were assessed for urinary iodine excretion, thyroid hormone profile, insulin-like growth factor-1 (ICF-1) and serum zinc. The mean urinary iodine levels of goitrous children and healthy children were 17.4 microg/dL and 15.3 microg/dL respectively, suggesting that iodine consumption was adequate. No significant differences were found between goitrous and healthy schoolchildren in mean levels of urinary iodine, serum IGF-1 or serum zinc. Other factors need be evaluated to, explain the residual prevalence of goitre.

Iodine-deficiency prophylaxis and the restriction of salt consumption - a 21st century challenge.

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a recommendation (Technical Consultation: Paris 2006, Luxembourg 2007) that salt consumption, as a risk factor for hypertension, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, stroke, and select cancers, should be restricted. The European Commission looked to adhere to this recommendation by creating the High Level Group on Nutrition and Physical Activity. According to WHO recommendations, a daily allowance of 5 g NaCl (i.e., 2 g Na) for individual salt consumption should not be exceeded. At present, mean individual salt consumption in Poland totals 13.5 g, of which salt used in household constitutes 8.8 g. In some regions of Poland, this number reaches upwards of 15.0 g/person. The Position Paper on Initiatives Aimed at Decreasing Salt Consumption in Poland, developed by an expert group at the National Food and Nutrition Institute, set the course for intervention, including changing recipes for massproduced food products and large-scale catering, improving oversight by food control agencies, and continuing legislative changes. These interventions should also include education directed towards consumers, food producers, public health professionals, healthcare workers, and media representatives. The Position Paper of the Polish Hypertension Society also sets the course for promoting restricted salt consumption and controlling hypertension on a population level. However, household salt is the main carrier of iodine in the Polish model of iodine prophylaxis. Thus, any interventions also require synchronized action with the Polish Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders. Current efforts aimed at preventing iodine-deficiency look to increase consumption of other iodine-rich products (e.g., milk, mineral water) with standardized levels of iodine. Once they achieve an iodine concentration of 0.1-0.2 mg, these products can easily supplement any decrease in physiological iodine levels resulting from reduced salt consumption. Also required are wide-ranging educational campaigns which will be coordinated by the new designated WHO Collaborating Centre for Nutrition at the Chair of Endocrinology at Jagiellonian University, Collegium Medicum in Kraków. (Pol J Endocrinol 2010; 61 (1): 135-140).

Monitoreo de DDI en la provincia de Corrientes (2005) / Monitoring of DDI in the province of Corrientes (2005)

Un total de 610 alumnos de escolaridad primaria, de ambos sexos, fue estudiado en este monitoreo de bocio endémico en dos localidades de la provincia de Corrientes: Ciudad de Corrientes (292 niños) y Paso de la Patria (318 niños). La edad de los escolares osciló entre 6 y 15 años. La palpación tiroidea fue hecha por el conjunto de los médicos participantes. Sin embargo, con la finalidad de aunar criterios con lo realizado previamente (1-23), se tomó como única referencia la palpación de H.N., que se llevó a cabo en la totalidad de los niños estudiados. La definición del grado de bocio fue similar a la utilizada en los otros relevamientos (1). Se determinó la yoduria en muestras casuales de orina emitidas por los niños una vez que fueron palpados (145 de Corrientes y 131 de Paso de la Patria). Se recolectaron 271 muestras de sal de consumo hogareño de Corrientes y 318 de Paso de la Patria, para medir su contenido en yodo. El examen palpatorio de los niños reveló la existencia de bocio grado 1 solamente. La prevalencia de bocio encontrada fue de 5,5% en Corrientes y de 4,1% en Paso de la Patria. Los niveles de yoduria alcanzaron, en Corrientes, una media de 190,4 ± 176,6 (DS) μg/L y una mediana de 159μg/L, al tiempo que en Paso de la Patria la media fue de 326 ± 348μg/L y la mediana de 282μg/L. El contenido de yodo de las sales, que aportaron los alumnos desde sus hogares, fue adecuado para la mayoría de las marcas de mayor consumo. Sin embargo, otras demostraron un déficit importante en sus niveles de yodación. Afortunadamente, estas últimas fueron la minoría y no repercutieron significativamente sobre la concentración global de yodo en la sal de consumo. De esta manera, observamos que en la ciudad de Corrientes el promedio de yodo en la sal, tomada en conjunto, fue de 28,2 ± 13,1 mg/Kg, mientras que para Paso de la Patria fue de 31,0 ± 14,3 mg/Kg. Al analizar las concentraciones de yodo <15mg/ Kg, observamos que fue del 20,3% en Corrientes y del 16,0% en Paso de la Patria. Teniendo en cuenta la línea de corte del 10% que fija el ICCIDD (24) como valor óptimo, podemos observar que la situación no fue muy satisfactoria, especialmente en la ciudad capital. Concluimos que en estas dos poblaciones de la provincia de Corrientes no existe bocio endémico por deficiencia de yodo, pero el hecho de que la capital correntina haya superado ligeramente el 5% podría deberse a la ingesta de bociógenos naturales, tales como la mandioca.

[Urinary iodine excretion in German adults in 2005 meets WHO target]. / Jodidurie bei Ewachsenen in Deutschland 2005 im WHO-Zielbereich.

BACKGROUND: Recent regional and Germany-wide investigations have shown that the abolition of the requirement to declare iodine in foodstuffs and the greater emphasis on information about goitre prevention led to an increase in urinary iodine excretion in German schoolchildren. There was also a decrease in thyroid size and goitre prevalence in children. No up-to-date results in adults for the whole of Germany are available. METHODS: In 2005, the authors examined the urinary iodine excretion in the spontaneous morning urine of 1,538 healthy adults in 357 places from all over Germany. The iodine was measured by the cer-arsenite method. RESULTS: The median iodine excretion amounted to 132 microg/l. There were no significant differences between age groups, sexes or regions. 64% had no iodine deficiency (> or = 100 microg/l). In 23% the deficiency was slight (50-99 microg/l), in 10% moderate (20-49 microg/l), and in 3% there was severe iodine deficiency (< 20 microg/l). 29% excreted > 200 microg iodide/l urine. CONCLUSION: According to the WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines, there is no longer an iodine deficiency in German adults.

Monitoreo de DDI en la provincia de Neuquén (2004) / DDI monitoring in the province of Neuquén (2004)

Un total de 235 alumnos de escolaridad primaria, de ambos sexos, fue estudiado en este monitoreo de bocio endémico en dos localidades de la provincia de Neuquén: Junín de los Andes (186 niños) y Chiuquillihuin (49 niños). La edad de los escolares osciló entre 5 y 15 años. La palpación tiroidea fue hecha por el conjunto de los médicos participantes. Sin embargo, con la finalidad de aunar criterios con lo realizado previamente (1-20), se tomó como única referencia la palpación de H.N., que se llevó a cabo en la totalidad de los niños estudiados. La definición del grado de bocio fue similar a la utilizada en los otros relevamientos (1). Se determinó la yoduria en muestras casuales de orina emitidas por los niños una vez que fueron palpados (100 de Junín de los Andes y 36 de Chiuquillihuin). Se recolectaron 125 muestras de sal de consumo hogareño de Junín de los Andes y 33 de Chiuquillihuin, para medir su contenido en yodo. El examen palpatorio de los niños reveló la existencia de bocio grado 1 en 7 niños y grado 2 en una niña, todos ellos de Junín de los Andes. La prevalencia de bocio encontrada fue de 4,3% en Junín de los Andes y de 0% en Chiuquillihuin. Los niveles de yoduria alcanzaron, en Junín de los Andes, una media de 182±62(DS)μg/L y una mediana de 168μg/L, al tiempo que en Chiuquillihuin la media fue de 212±101μg/L y la mediana de 176μg/L. El contenido de yodo de las sales, que aportaron los alumnos desde sus hogares, fue adecuado en la mayoría de las muestras. De esta manera, observamos que en la ciudad de Junín de los Andes el promedio de yodo en la sal, tomada en conjunto, fue de 34,6 ± 12,4 mg/Kg, mientras que para Chiuquillihuin fue de 23,6 ± 18,2 mg/Kg. Al analizar las concentraciones de yodo <15mg/ Kg, observamos que fue del 4,1% en Junín de los Andes y del 36,4% en Chiuquillihuin. Teniendo en cuenta la línea de corte del 10% que fija el ICCIDD (21) como valor óptimo, podemos observar que la situación es muy satisfactoria en Junín de los Andes, pero no así en Chiuquillihuin. Sin embargo, las yodurias de esta última localidad fueron óptimas, por lo que es probable que otras sales con buen contenido en yodo hayan condimentado los alimentos envasados consumidos por esta población Mapuche. Concluimos que en estas dos poblaciones de la provincia de Neuquén ya no existe bocio endémico.

Monitoreo de DDI en la zona andina de la provincia de Chubut (2004) / Monitoring of DDI in the Andean zone of the province of Chubut (2004)

Un total de 444 alumnos de escolaridad primaria, de ambos sexos, fue estudiado en este monitoreo de bocio endémico en dos localidades de la zona andina de la provincia de Chubut: Esquel (292 niños) y Cushamen (152 niños). La edad de los escolares osciló entre 5 y 13 años. La palpación tiroidea fue hecha por el conjunto de los médicos participantes. Sin embargo, con la finalidad de aunar criterios con lo realizado previamente (1-20), se tomó como única referencia la palpación de H.N., que se llevó a cabo en la totalidad de los niños estudiados. La definición del grado de bocio fue similar a la utilizada en los otros relevamientos (1). Se determinó la yoduria en muestras casuales de orina emitidas por los niños una vez que fueron palpados (139 de Esquel y 133 de Cushamen). Se recolectaron 213 muestras de sal de consumo hogareño de Esquel y 144 de Cushamen, para medir su contenido en yodo. El examen palpatorio de los niños reveló la existencia de bocio grado 1 solamente. La prevalencia de bocio encontrada fue de 2,1% en Esquel y de 3,3% en Cushamen. Los niveles de yoduria alcanzaron, en Esquel, una media de 238±119(DS)μg/L y una mediana de 214μg/L, al tiempo que en Cushamen la media fue de 270±187μg/L y la mediana de 238μg/L. El contenido de yodo de las sales que aportaron los alumnos tuvieron un nivel adecuado de yodo, sobre todo en aquellas de consumo masivo. De esta manera, observamos que en la ciudad de Esquel el promedio de yodo en la sal, tomada en conjunto, fue de 30,6 ± 8,1 mg/Kg, mientras que para Cushamen fue de 31,1 ± 10,5 mg/Kg. Al analizar las concentraciones de yodo <15mg/Kg, observamos que fue del 3,0% en Esquel y del 7,4% en Cushamen. Teniendo en cuenta la línea de corte del 10% que fija el ICCIDD (21) como valor óptimo, podemos observar que la situación de ambas poblaciones es muy satisfactoria. Concluimos que en estas dos poblaciones de la zona andina de la provincia de Chubut ya no existe bocio endémico.

PET-TC en Endocrinología / PET-CT in Endocrinology

El examen PET-TC ha ganado un lugar en el estudio de los tumores de origen endocrino. El marcador metabólico 18F-FDG es el más empleado internacionalmente y el único por el momento en nuestro medio. Las principales limitaciones del método en Endocrinología incluyen la alta diferenciación y baja agresividad de la mayoría de los tumores endocrinos, dificultad en la identificación de lesiones de escasa celularidad y el pequeño tamaño. Las indicaciones para su empleo deben ser precisas debido a que no todos los tumores presentan sustancial avidez por este compuesto por una parte y poder extraer la máxima eficacia diagnóstica del método con adecuadas indicaciones por la otra. La indicación más importante es en pacientes con cáncer diferenciado de tiroides (CDT) con valores de Tg elevados y barridos con 131I negativos. Es aconsejable su indicación con valores de Tg mayores a los 10 ng/ml y con TSH estimulada (endógena o exógena). El objetivo es la localización de las recidivas y metástasis para su exéresis o el empleo de otras terapias alternativas al 131I. Tiene alto valor pronóstico ya que es mayor la fijación de FDG en las lesiones más agresivas. Un paciente con Tg elevada, barrido con 131I negativo y FDG positivo obliga al clínico a actuar más agresivamente para eliminar los focos patológicos, mientras que con FDG negativo puede tener una conducta expectante con controles posteriores. La introducción de otros marcadores emisores de positrones específicos como el 124I, isótopo del Iodo, seguramente aportarán mejores imágenes y diagnósticos. En los tumores neuroendocrinos la FDG tiene limitada aplicación, salvo cuando hay un grado significativo de desdiferenciación. En el cáncer medular de tiroides (CMT) es conveniente indicarlo cuando los niveles de calcitonina superan los 1000 pg/ml con el objeto de localizar el/los sitios de su producción. Con la introducción de radiofármacos más específicos de las diferentes líneas celulares que componen el espectro de los tumores neuroendocrinos con emisores de positrones, tales como 18F-DOPA, 68Ga DOTA, 11C metomidato, 11C-5-hidroxitriptofano, etc., se podrá estudiar con mayor precisión el comportamiento metabólico-molecular de estos tumores.

PET/CT scans have reached an important place in the evaluation of endocrine tumors. The metabolic marker 18F-FDG is the most widespread over the world, and, for the time being, it is the only one available in our country. The limitations of this technique in Endocrinology include high differentiation and low aggressiveness of most endocrine tumors, and low detection rate for low cellularity and/or small lesions. Indications for PET/CT scan in these tumors should be precise, due to the fact that not all of these lesions are significantly glucose-avid and to extract the maximum diagnostic efficacy of this modality to achieve the optimum diagnostic accuracy. The most important indication is DTC with high Tg levels and negative 131I scans. It is advisable to indicate a PET/CT scan in patients with Tg > 10 ng/ml and stimulated TSH (endogenous or exogenous). The aim is to locate recurrencies and metastases in order to remove them, either surgically or by any other therapy alternative to 131I. Due to higher uptake in more aggressive lesions, this study has a high prognostic value. In patients with high Tg levels, negative I-131 scan, and abnormal FDG uptake, the practitioner must act more aggressively in order to remove the pathologic foci, while with a negative FDG -PET scan, the conduct can be expectant, with periodic follow-up. The introduction of other positron-emitting tracers like 124-Iodine, is likely to yield superior quality images and provide better diagnoses. FDG has a limited efficiency in neuroendocrine tumors, unless they show a significant level of desdiffer-entiation. The scan is indicated in MTC, when calcytonin levels are above 1000 pg/ml, in order to locate the tumor sites. With the introduction of more specific positron-emitting radiopharmaceuticals, such as 18F-DOPA, 68Ga DOTA, 11C metomidate, 11C-hidroxytriptophan and others, it will be possible to study the metabolic-molecular behavior of these tumors with a more accurate approach.

Supervisión del déficit de yodo en Salta Capital / Surveillance of iodine deficiency in Salta Capital

El déficit de yodo (IDD) es un problema de Salud Pública que afecta a millones de personas en todo el mundo causando alteraciones en la neuromaduración que pueden ser evitados si se realiza una yodoprofilaxis adecuada. Objetivo: Realizar un monitoreo de IDD en la localidad de Salta Capital, por su ubicación geográfica y hábitos alimentarios con posible consumo regional de sal no iodada. Material y métodos: En 442 escolares (221 mujeres) de 5 a 14 años de edad, se evaluaron: peso, SDS talla y, SDS BMI. Se realizó la palpación tiroidea y el volumen glandular fue clasificado según los criterios de la OMS. En 97 niños se determinó la yoduria en muestras casuales de orina por el método de Sandell y Kolthof modificado. Se analizó la distribución de los niveles de TSH de la pesquisa neonatal (IFMA-DELFIA) realizada en la región de los 18 meses previos al estudio Se aplicaron los criterios de suficiencia iodada establecidos por la OMS/ ICCDD Resultados: La prevalencia de bocio fue de 6.3 %. Los niveles de yoduria fueron: mediana de 127.5 ug/l con 20 % < 50 ug/l. Sólo el 1.6 % de las muestras de TSH neonatal fueron > 5 uU/ml. Cuando se aplicaron los criterios de la OMS la prevalencia de bocio superaba levemente lo esperado para una zona suficiente y los niveles de ioduria correspondían con un aporte iodado adecuado pero marginal en su distribución. La distribución de TSH fue la esperada para una zona suficiente. Conclusión: Si bien el aumento de la prevalencia de bocio podría explicarse por factores ambientales la distribución marginal de la ioduria señala un aporte de yodo suficiente pero con necesidad de supervisión estrecha.

The iodide deficit disorder (IDD) is a worldwide Public Health problem that affects more than a million subjects causing neuromadurative disorders that could be avoided with adequate iodide supply. Objective: To monitor IDD in Salta Capital, due to its geographic location and possible utilization of non iodated salt. Population and methods:. SDSHeight , SDS BMI and weight were assessed in 442 scholars (221 girls) aged 5 to 14. Thyroid volume was evaluated and classified according to WHO criteria. In 97 children iodide urinary concentration was measured in casual urine samples by the modified Sandell and Kolthof method.TSH level's distribution of the neonatal screening performed in the region 18 months prior to this study (n 310) was evaluated. Criteria suggested by WHO to indicate iodide deficiency were applied. Results: Goitre prevalence was 6.3%, Iodide urine median levels were 127.5 ug/l with 20% < 50 ug/l. Only 1.6% of the 310 TSH samples were > 5 μU/ml. Applying WHO criteria goiter prevalence was higher that expected for a iodide sufficient area and urine iodide content was normal but marginal in its distribution. Neonatal TSH levels were the expected for a sufficient area. Conclusion: Although high goiter prevalence could be explained by environmental factors the distribut-ion of urinary iodide points out an adequate but marginal iodide supply underscoring the need of close monitoring.

Thyroid cancer, thyroiditis and dietary iodine: a review based on the Salta, Argentina model.

Factors that should be considered when studying the effect of dietary iodine in the development of thyroid cancer include pathological criteria, diagnostic techniques, screening programs, radioactive fallout, and standard of medical care in the studied population. In most surveys, papillary carcinoma forms the largest group of thyroid malignancies, both before and after iodine prophylaxis where an increase in the papillary:follicular carcinoma ratio is also noted. Undifferentiated carcinomas decrease after salt prophylaxis. In Salta, Argentina, the increasing incidence of clinically significant papillary thyroid cancer and the decrease of undifferentiated carcinoma after iodine prophylaxis are probably due to better access to health centers and consequent earlier detection of differentiated precursor tumors. Autoimmune focal and diffuse or Hashimoto's thyroiditis are linked to dietary iodine. Pathological studies made in different regions indicate that these types of thyroiditis occur more frequently in areas of iodine sufficiency than in areas of iodine deficiency, and increase after iodine prophylaxis both in non-goitrous and iodine-deficient areas like Salta, Argentina. An increase of lymphocytic thyroiditis could be linked to an increased incidence of primary thyroid lymphoma, and thyroiditis is more commonly associated with papillary carcinoma than with other types of thyroid follicular or C-cell derived carcinomas regardless of iodine intake.

Effectiveness of the iodine prophylaxis model adopted in Poland.

OBJECTIVE: Most of the Polish territory has been classified as an iodine-deficient and endemic goiter area according to the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency (ICCIDD) criteria. In 1997 the obligatory model of iodine prophylaxis was implemented. Our investigations were aimed at the effectiveness of iodine prophylaxis in Poland. METHODS: We assessed urinary iodine excretion and goiter prevalence in 5663 children aged 6-12 yr. The population of children from the same 27 schools was investigated from 1992 to 1994 (1406 girls and 1244 boys) and from 1999 to 2005 (1563 girls and 1450 boys) using identical laboratory and ultrasound methods. RESULTS: We found significant increase in iodine urinary concentration (median 52 microg/l vs 93 microg/l, p<0.001) with accompanying drop in goiter prevalence (29.6% vs 5.2%, p<0.001) after implementation of iodine prophylaxis. Iodine excretion distribution changed significantly after 1997 with an increase in the percentage of children with iodine urinary concentration above 100 microg/l from 10.8% to 45.4%, respectively. A significantly higher iodine urinary concentration was observed in lowlands compared to uplands both before and after implementation of iodine prophylaxis (median, 50 microg/l vs 57 microg/l and 86 microg/l vs 114 microg/l, respectively, p<0.001). The goiter prevalence did not differ between girls and boys from 1992 to 1994 (28.8% vs 30.5%, p=0.35) and 1999 to 2005 (5.5% vs 4.9%, p=0.45). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the new model of iodine prophylaxis in Poland in 1997 has led to significant increase in iodine urinary concentration and decrease in goiter prevalence among Polish schoolchildren. In the youngest group of children (6-8 yr olds), prevalence of goiter decreased to 3.2%--i.e. below endemic levels.

Desenvolvimento de um método para a determinação da iodúria e sua aplicação na excreção urinária de iodo em escolares brasileiros / Development of a semi-automated method for measuring urinary iodine and its application in epidemiological studies in brazilian schoolchildren

Desenvolvemos método semi-automatizado em placa para a determinação de iodo urinário; utilizamos, primeiramente, a digestão das amostras de urina com persulfato de amônio e, a seguir, estimamos a quantidade de iodo pela redução do sulfato cérico amoniacal. O método foi validado no inquérito nacional de monitoração da deficiência de iodo, realizado em 1994, que empregou um sistema de amostragem mista da população brasileira e analisou a iodúria em 16.803 amostras de urina de escolares obtidas por coleta casual. Em 401 municípios estudados encontramos 4 com deficiência de iodo de grau moderado (Almas, Arraias e Paraná, em Tocantins, e Cocos, na Bahia) e 116 de grau leve. Desta forma, este estudo mostrou a presença de regiões com deficiência de iodo em 1994, a despeito do programa de iodação do sal. Dados recentes de outros autores, com número menor de municípios, indicam excesso de ingestão de iodo. Assim, num país de dimensões continentais e heterogêneo como o Brasil, é necessária a realização de avaliações periódicas de amplitude nacional para a verificação da ingestão de iodo da população. O método apresentado neste estudo apresenta as características de simplicidade e eficiência necessários para este tipo de estudo populacional.

In this study we developed a semi-automated method for the measurement of urinary iodine using firstly ammonium persulfate for digestion of urine followed by estimation of iodine content in the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction, in which iodine acts as a catalyst for the reduction of cerium. This method was validated in the 3rd Brazilian National Survey of iodine deficiency in 1994. We studied 16,803 casual urine samples from schoolchildren of 401 cities and found 4 moderately-deficient towns (Almas, Arraias, and Parana, in the State of Tocantins, and Cocos, in the State of Bahia), and 116 mildly-deficient. This work suggests that despite the salt iodization program, there was some iodine-deficient areas in Brazil in 1994. Recent surveys, involving less cities, are indicating an excess of iodine ingestion. Therefore, in a country of continental dimensions and very heterogeneous in terms of public health, periodical evaluations are necessary to monitor the real situation of iodine nutrition in Brazil. The method developed in this paper is suitable for these surveys.